CM Vijay writes to Modi, Opposes proposed Food Security Act Amendment
Chennai, July 7:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the proposed changes to the National Food Security Act (NFSA). He warned that this could adversely impact millions of needy families in the state.
In a detailed letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Vijay requested the central government to maintain the current rule of providing 35 kilograms of grain per month to every family covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), regardless of the number of family members.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the proposed change to Section 3(1) of the NFSA, which aims to shift the entitlement from a household-based system to providing 7 kilograms of grain per person per month, with a limit of 35 kilograms per family.
He warned that if implemented without modification, this change could significantly reduce the distribution of grain to a large section of Tamil Nadu’s poorest population. According to official estimates, the state has over 1.86 million AAY ration cards, covering approximately 6.9 million beneficiaries from the most vulnerable sections, including widows, the elderly, the disabled, landless laborers, and daily wage workers.
Mr. Vijay explained that the current system ensures a fixed amount of grain for each household, protecting families from hunger and malnutrition, regardless of their size. In contrast, the proposed allocation per person and household limit could have a significant impact on states like Tamil Nadu, where the average family size is much smaller.
He further stated that this change could inadvertently penalize states that have successfully implemented family planning measures, especially in South India.
Emphasizing Tamil Nadu’s robust public distribution system, the Chief Minister said that the state has consistently exceeded central regulations to ensure food security and nutritional support for its citizens. He stressed that rice supplied through the system remains the staple food for AAY beneficiaries and cannot be easily replaced by purchasing it from the market.
He said, “Any reduction in entitlements will impose a huge financial burden on these families, pushing them towards hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.”
Emphasizing that the NFSA was implemented as a last resort for the poorest, Mr. Vijay emphasized the need to maintain its original intent of providing simple, unconditional, and home-based support.
He appealed to the Center to reconsider this change in the interest of protecting food security and ensuring that vulnerable families are not deprived of essential nutrition.
